Vows of Loyalty (The Sovrano Mafia Empire #3)

Chapter 1

Francesca

I was in Stefan's car.

Stefan was right beside me.

A—healthy.

Strong.

Stefan.

The last time I saw him, he could barely get himself in and out of the shower.

But now—

Oh, my gosh.

Now, he looked—amazing.

Almost like a different person altogether. But I could still tell it was him. Most certainly, from his eyes.

Eyes that had found me the second I'd stepped out onto that stage half-naked.

Scared to death.

Hoping against hope that some kind, gentle soul would buy me. And not someone who'd be rough with me. Or hit me.

Or worse.

It wasn't like Aldo provided a bodyguard or anything. He'd made it perfectly clear that I was on my own. After whoever bought me—paid—I was to go directly with them. All my father's debts would be wiped clean.

And whatever happened to me—happened—he wasn't taking any responsibility after I'd left the building.

I wrapped Stefan's jacket tighter around me. I felt more than a little self-conscious. I was dressed like a—

Well, like a whore. The bustier stuck into my still-bruised ribs. Making breathing—interesting. And painful.

It wasn't like I was going to take it off here, inside Stefan's car. Although he might like that.

Heat pooled in my lower belly. That hadn't happened in—months. Except when I dreamed of him. Of Stefan. Kissing me. Making love to me.

A few times, I'd managed to wake up—climaxing from my dreams.

It was wonderful.

But also, sad once I realized that Stefan wasn't actually in bed with me doing all kinds of incredible things to my body.

“Where are we going?” I asked, knowing we were going to Carlo's. At least that had sounded like Carlo's voice. Not that I'd heard it many times before. After all, it had been months and months since I'd seen him or heard his voice.

Or Stefan's.

“My brother's place. He has an estate about an hour outside of the city. I told you that.” He glanced over at me briefly.

“Oh, yeah. Right,” I said, feeling stupid for bringing it up. Carlo had said we'd be safe there, but—oh, crap. “Isn't that where you got—” I started to say but bit my lip once my brain caught up with my stupid mouth.

Stefan finished my sentence for me. “Shot? Yes. In the barn. Carlo has beefed up security since that incident. He's right. It's safer there than my place.”

Gosh.

Could I be a bigger idiot? I never should have brought up his shooting. Nobody wanted to be reminded of almost dying.

I took a slow, deep inhale. It had been so long since I’d been surrounded by Stefan's scent. There was an extra edge to it now. A delicious cedary musk. But also, that same hypnotizing smell that was all uniquely Stefan.

I expected a barrage of questions from him. So far, he'd been concentrating more on the road. Part of me wondered why he’d saved me just now. Why he didn't just take off and leave me to the vultures.

Stefan owed me nothing.

I was the one who left him.

I never thought I'd see him again.

“Are you cold?” Stefan asked as he turned up the heat. “You have to be cold wearing—” his eyes flitted to my white stocking covered legs, “that.”

I was cold.

And still in more than a bit of shock if I was honest.

Every single day for weeks—I worried I might have to actually do what Aldo wanted. And sleep with some stranger—and give him my virginity.

Even though our plan was pretty foolproof, I knew there was always a chance that something could go wrong. And Felicia and I might get found out.

I hoped it wouldn't happen. I hoped that my sister could fill in for me and perform this one disgusting task. And that nobody would be any the wiser.

Of course, that isn't what happened. Because I have the worst luck of any human being on the planet.

We were so freaking close.

So.

Freaking.

Close.

If that makeup girl hadn't spilled the beans, Felicia would be on a date right now with a really gross old guy. And I'd be off the hook completely.

“Are you hungry?” Stefan asked. He glanced at me quickly before looking back at the dark road.

I shook my head. “No, I'm fine,” I lied. I'd been so nervous today that I hadn't eaten a thing. Not that there was much to eat in the house, anyway. I didn't want Stefan going out of his way to get me food now. I'd be okay.

“I'm guessing Evie and Giselle will have an entire buffet ready for you by the time we get there. I don't want to stop if I can help it. But if you're really hungry—” he continued on like he had some virulent case of verbal diarrhea. And he needed my help to stop.

“I'm fine, Stefan. Thank you,” I cut in, making him quit talking.

Being near him and smelling him were bad enough. But hearing his voice?

Yeah.

That was too much.

I still heard Stefan's voice clearly in my head. It had been one of my favorite things about him. His deep, sexy timbre and tone wrapped around me like a cozy, warm blanket.

He cleared his throat and nodded. But thankfully, he stopped talking.

A moment later, I realized that the awkward silence might be even worse than his verbal diarrhea. I just couldn't win.

So, I gave up and sat back in the seat and closed my eyes. From what I gathered, it would be another half hour to forty-five-minute drive for sure to Carlo and Giselle’s house. Maybe I could pretend that I was sleeping, and he’d leave me alone.